11:15 a.m. LOCAL Secretary Clinton meets with the staff and families of Consulate Munich, in Munich, Germany.(POOLED PRESS COVERAGE)

PM Secretary Clinton returns from foreign travel.

UNDER SECRETARY FOR ARMS CONTROL AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ELLEN TAUSCHER
Under Secretary Tauscher accompanies Secretary Clinton on foreign travel to Munich, Germany for the Munich Security Conference. Click here for more information.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AFFAIRS WILLIAM BROWNFIELD
Assistant Secretary Brownfield is on foreign travel to Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Colombia through February 11.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR EUROPEAN AND EURASIAN AFFAIRS PHIL GORDONAssistant Secretary Gordon accompanies Secretary Clinton on foreign travel to Munich, Germany for the Munich Security Conference. Click here for more information.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ARMS CONTROL, VERIFICATION AND COMPLIANCE ROSE E. GOTTEMOELLERAssistant Secretary Gottemoeller travels to Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Poland through February 11.

SPECIAL ADVISOR FOR CHILDREN’S ISSUES AMBASSADOR SUSAN JACOBSAmbassador Jacobs travels to Japan, South Korea and Kyrgyzstan through February 16. Click here for more information.

AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE FOR GLOBAL WOMEN’S ISSUES MELANNE VERVEERAmbassador Verveer travels to the Democratic Republic of Congo through February 7 to meet with government officials and non-governmental organizations and to speak at the opening of the City of Joy, a center in Bukavu that will support women survivors of sexual violence. Click here for more information.

“We have the utmost confidence in Command Sgt. Maj. Chandler and look forward to having him join our leadership team,” said McHugh. “He has the right qualities and credentials to assume this vitally important duty that Sgt. Maj. of the Army Preston has skillfully and adeptly performed for the last seven years.”

Chandler is currently the commandant of the U. S. Army Sergeants Major Academy. He will succeed Kenneth Preston, who has served since January 2004.

“Command Sgt. Maj. Chandler is the right soldier to lead our NCO Corps,” Casey said. “He has demonstrated excellence in every position, and has the depth of experiences required to help us lead our Army.”

Chandler will be sworn into the new position March 1 in a ceremony at the Pentagon.

“Being named the 14th sergeant major of the Army is truly an honor,” Chandler said. “I am humbled, yet excited by the opportunity to serve our soldiers and their families in light of the challenges ahead.”

In June 2009, Chandler became the first enlisted commandant of the U. S. Army Sergeants Major Academy.

In his new position, Chandler will serve as the Army chief of staff’s personal adviser on matters affecting the enlisted force. The role involves extensive travel and focuses on soldier training, noncommissioned officer development and the well-being of families.

The sergeant major of the Army recommends quality-of-life improvements to Army leadership and often sits on councils that make decisions affecting enlisted soldiers and their families. He also routinely testifies before Congress on these issues.

Preston leaves the position as the longest serving SMA after being selected by previous Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Schoomaker.

“Many of the great CSMs and SGMs serving around the Army today are a product of CSM Chandler’s leadership and development efforts,” Preston said. “He brings a broad breadth of experience and I have no doubt he will provide the strategic vision and professionalism long associated with this position.”